One oft overlooked monetization strategy for a Mobile VoIP service providers is to be the carriers carrier, but that is exactly what Nimbuzz, the VoIP and Free international mobile call chat messaging service, is doing.

This week, Nimbuzz announced that they have signed 17 new SIP partners to its global Operator Affiliate Program. According to the release, these partnership’s “allow carriers to offer IM and social networks as value added services without incurring costs to set the service up, and at the same time allowing them to stay in control of their own customer relationships.”

In becoming a feature in a larger service offering, Nimbuzz now becomes a way that others can affordably offer their customers cutting edge “value added” services, rather then a direct competitor, vying for the same audience.

Nimbuzz CEO Evert Jaap Lugt hit the nail on the head when he said, “We see these partnerships providing real value to operators looking to increase ARPU and offer their customers full access to IM and social networks without the risk and costs associated with setting this up themselves. This is also an open call to other operators looking to join. We will be announcing new partners soon.”

While many Mobile VoIP service providers are looking to go at it alone, the best strategy might just be to partner up with the big guys.